The World Folk Music Association is a non-profit organization[1] formed in 1983 by folk singer/songwriter Tom Paxton and Dick Cerri, a radio host from Washington D. C.[2] The first chairman of the board was Paxton[3] and Cerri served as president.[4]

Paxton and Cerri declared that the WFMA was "dedicated to promoting contemporary and traditional folk music, spreading the word to fans, and keeping the folk community informed and involved".[2]

WFMA presents a monthly showcase in Bethesda, Maryland,[5] and from 1984 to 2011 hosted an annual benefit concert. The WFMA presented its Lifetime Achievement Award, Kate Wolf Award, and John Denver award at its annual concert through 2006.[6] The Washington Post described the 6th annual concert as "nostalgic and topical, competent and compelling".[7]

To celebrate Woody Guthrie's 82d birthday, WFMA presented a Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert in 1994.[8] A two-night concert in tribute of The Kingston Trio's 45th anniversary was held by WFMA in 2002.[9] In 2013, WFMA hosted a benefit concert to support the Madison House Autism Foundation.[10] WFMA also sponsored the final Chad Mitchell Trio concert in 2014.[11]


WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award

The first recipient of the WFMA Lifetime Achievement Award was Odetta in 1994. Other winners include:[2]

Kate Wolf Memorial Award

Established in 1987 to honor the memory of Kate Wolf, a singer/songwriter who died from leukemia, the Kate Wolf Memorial Award is presented "to the performer who best epitomizes the music and spirit of Kate Wolf." It has been awarded to:[2]

John Denver Award

Established in 1998, the John Denver Award was awarded in 1999 to Denver's original publisher and producer, Milt Okun. Other recipients include:[2]

References

  1. ^ College & Research Libraries News. Association of College and Research Libraries. January 1996. p. 206.
  2. ^ a b c d e Noble, Richard E. (2009). Number #1 : the story of the original Highwaymen. Denver: Outskirts Press. pp. 142–161, 265–267. ISBN 9781432738099. OCLC 426388468.
  3. ^ "Changing Scene". Music Educators Journal. 70 (2): 22. 1983. doi:10.2307/3401206. ISSN 0027-4321. JSTOR 3401206. S2CID 220986683.
  4. ^ "Dick Cerri (obituary)". The Washington Post. 30 Oct 2013. Retrieved 9 Nov 2019.
  5. ^ "Showcase Series". World Folk Music Association. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  6. ^ "WFMA Past Events". World Folk Music Association. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  7. ^ Joyce, Mike (21 Jan 1991). "Folk's Global Gathering". The Washington Post. ProQuest 307355472.
  8. ^ Adamarczyk, Peg (1 Jul 1994). "Woody's music is our music and will be played today". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  9. ^ "If I had a camera". The Washington Times. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  10. ^ "Collaborating with World Folk Music Association". Madison House Autism Foundation. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Concerts". Chad Mitchell Trio: Then & Now. Retrieved 17 November 2019.

External links

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